Method of measuring at least one dimension of an object

Abstract

Method of measuring at least one dimension (L) of an object ( 1 ) having a first axis ( 2 ), the method including the use of a first optical system ( 11 ) including an optical sensor ( 111 ) and having a second optical axis ( 113 ), the measuring method including (i) obtaining at least one series of data from the optical sensor when the object is in movement relative to the first optical system, notably an angular movement of the first axis relative to the second axis and/or a movement of the object in rotation about the first axis and/or a movement of the object in translation along the second axis and (ii) processing the at least one series of data to quantify said at least one dimension.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A method of measuring at least one dimension of an object having a first axis, the method including using a first optical system including an optical sensor and having a second axis which is an optical axis, the measuring method including:
 providing the object in movement relative to the first optical system, 
 obtaining at least one series of data from the optical sensor while the object is in movement relative to the first optical system, wherein the at least one series of data includes a plurality of apparent values of the at least one dimension, and 
 processing the at least one series of data so as to quantify the at least one dimension, 
 wherein the obtaining of the at least one series of data is carried out when the object is immersed in a liquid, the data being obtained through at least one wall of a container and through the liquid. 
 
     
     
       2. The measuring method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the optical sensor is associated with a telecentric lens. 
     
     
       3. The measuring method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the method includes using a collimated light source having a third axis which is another optical axis or a telecentric lighting second optical system including a light source associated with a telecentric lens having a third axis which is an optical axis. 
     
     
       4. The measuring method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein a plurality of series of data are obtained simultaneously from the optical sensor relating to a plurality of dimensions. 
     
     
       5. The measuring method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the processing includes determining a value of the at least one dimension by calculation based on apparent values of the at least one dimension, the calculation including calculation of a mean of the apparent values and/or calculation including interpolation of the apparent values. 
     
     
       6. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the object is linked to a machine via a support, and wherein the data including a plurality of apparent values of the at least one dimension is acquired through the at least one wall of the container and the liquid without previously removing the object from the machine. 
     
     
       7. A method of manufacturing an object including:
 carrying out steps of manufacturing the object, and 
 carrying out the measuring method as claimed in  claim 1  on the object. 
 
     
     
       8. A method of manufacturing an object including:
 carrying out steps of manufacturing the object, and 
 carrying out the measuring method as claimed in  claim 6  on the object. 
 
     
     
       9. A device for measuring at least one dimension of an object having a first axis, the device including:
 a first optical system including an optical sensor associated with a telecentric lens having a second axis which is an optical axis, 
 an element for moving the object relative to the first optical system, 
 an element for acquiring at least one series of data from the optical sensor while the object is in movement relative to the first optical system, wherein the at least one series of data includes a plurality of apparent values of the at least one dimension, 
 an element for processing the at least one series of data so as to quantify the at least one dimension, 
 wherein the measuring; device includes a container intended to receive a liquid, the container having at least one transparent wall. 
 
     
     
       10. The measuring device as claimed in  claim 9 , including a collimated light source having a third axis which is an optical axis or a telecentric lighting second optical system including a light source associated with a telecentric lens having a third axis which is an optical axis. 
     
     
       11. The measuring device as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the first and second axes are orthogonal or substantially orthogonal. 
     
     
       12. A method of manufacturing an object including:
 carrying out steps of manufacturing the object, and 
 carrying out measuring at least one dimension of the object by the measuring device as claimed in  claim 9 . 
 
     
     
       13. A method of manufacturing an object including:
 carrying out steps of manufacturing the object, and 
 carrying out measuring at least one dimension of the object, the object having a first axis, by a measuring method including using a first optical system including an optical sensor and having a second axis which is an optical axis, the measuring method including: 
 providing the object in movement relative to the first optical system, 
 obtaining at least one series of data from the optical sensor while the object is in movement relative to the first optical system, wherein the at least one series of data includes a plurality of apparent values of the at least one dimension, and 
 processing the at least one series of data so as to quantify the at least one dimension. 
 
     
     
       14. A method of manufacturing an object including:
 carrying out steps of manufacturing the object, and 
 measuring at least one dimension of the object by a measuring device, the object having a first axis, the measuring device including: 
 a first optical system including an optical sensor associated with a telecentric lens having a second axis which is an optical axis, 
 an element for moving the object relative to the first optical system, 
 an element for acquiring at least one series of data from the optical sensor while the object is in movement relative to the first optical system, wherein the at least one series of data includes a plurality of apparent values of the at least one dimension, 
 an element for processing the at least one series of data so as to quantify the at least one dimension. 
 
     
     
       15. A method of measuring at least one dimension of an object having a first axis, the method including using a first optical system including an optical sensor and having a second axis which is an optical axis, the measuring method including:
 providing the object in movement relative to the first optical system, 
 obtaining at least one series of data from the optical sensor while the object is in movement relative to the first optical system, wherein the at least one series of data includes a plurality of apparent values of the at least one dimension, and 
 processing the at least one series of data so as to quantify the at least one dimension, 
 wherein the movement of the object relative to the first optical system is selected from the group consisting of (i) an angular movement of the first axis relative to the second axis, (ii) a rotation of the object about the first axis, and (iii) a translation of the object along the second axis. 
 
     
     
       16. The measuring method as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein the movement of the object relative to the first optical system is an angular movement of the first axis relative to the second axis. 
     
     
       17. The measuring method as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein the movement of the object relative to the first optical system is a rotation of the object about the first axis. 
     
     
       18. The measuring method as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein the movement of the object relative to the first optical system is a translation of the object along the second axis. 
     
     
       19. A device for measuring at least one dimension of an object having a first axis, the device including:
 a first optical system including an optical sensor associated with a telecentric lens having a second axis which is an optical axis, 
 an element for moving the object relative to the first optical system, wherein the movement of the object relative to the first optical system is selected from the group consisting of (i) an angular movement of the first axis relative to the second axis, (ii) a rotation of the object about the first axis, and (iii) a translation of the object along the second axis, 
 an element for acquiring at least one series of data from the optical sensor while the object is in movement relative to the first optical system, wherein the at least one series of data includes a plurality of apparent values of the at least one dimension, 
 an element for processing the at least one series of data so as to quantify the at least one dimension. 
 
     
     
       20. The measuring device as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein the element for moving the object relative to the first optical system is an element for angular movement of the first axis relative to the second axis. 
     
     
       21. The measuring device as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein the element for moving the object relative to the first optical system is an element for rotation of the object about the first axis. 
     
     
       22. The measuring device as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein the element for moving the object relative to the first optical system is an element for translation of the object along the second axis.